We’re currently in Taxkorgan, very near the border with Pakistan, so there’s a very strong military presence here. Advice is ‘Be nice to the people in green’. The locals are quite mixed though and look like that picture of the Afghan girl with the bright green eyes.
Spent half a day walking the 4km round the holy Karakul Lake, close to the border with Tajikistan. Truly beautiful place.
Got a bit of a headache as the drive there was through mountains up to 7900m(23000ft?). Still managed to phone home for mum’s birthday.
Had the next day free in Taxkorgan. Lots of things to do – could have hiked through meadows surrounded by Yaks and Yurts, could have visited the old fort, could have spent time getting to know the locals. Instead drank cheap beer and played pool in the open air on a rotten table with a mountain backdrop, then went back to the truck and made popcorn to eat whilst watching Scary Movie 2 & 3 on a DVD player the truck drivers brought with them. Went out for a great meal in the only place in town that served beer.
Morning update: Forgot about the effects of altitude on alcohol. Hangover
Radio Free Asia seemed to be reporting Unrest in Taxkorgan(from what little i can understand of Uighur) have you seen anything?